Dikko Radda: Only 32 police officers patrolling 200 villages in Katsina

Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina state, says only 32 police officers are patrolling one LGA in the state.

In an interview with DW Hausa, Radda said the LGA comprises 10 wards and over 200 villages.

Radda further noted that among the 32 officers, only nine guns are available, with just five operational.

“Currently in Katsina, there is a local government area with 39 policemen and nine guns, and the serviceable guns are five,” the governor said.

“The LGA has 10 political wards, with more than 200 villages. How can a police force with 39 personnel protect them?

“We have come up with an initiative that for any community ready to defend itself, we will give them necessary support and training to engage criminals before the arrival of the security agents.”

Earlier in February, bandits reportedly killed Sanusi Hassan, the commander of the Katsina Community Watch Corps, seven watchmen, and some residents in Kankara LGA.

In another attack, bandits killed six people in Faskari LGA.

In June, the Katsina police command said gunmen killed about 20 people in the Gidan Bofa and Dan Nakwabo communities in Kankara LGA.

In July, bandits abducted about 26 people in Runka town, Safana LGA of the state.